Last July, I turned 40 and was all set to take it hard! But, to help celebrate this milestone rather than dread it, we planned a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado!
Between the beautiful views and ideal summer weather, it did just the trick! This is most definitely one of our favorite summer destinations!
Stay!!
We traveled with our Husky, Ruby, and found the perfect Airbnb (Link to Listing) in Old Colorado City, the location is perfect! OCC is a historic district and is very walkable area with tons of shops, restaurants and a weekend farmers market. The house we rented was an easy walk to the main section of OCC and had a fully fenced backyard, a lifesaver when we travel! The vibe was also perfect, eclectic and inviting with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy.
Images: Airbnb.com
Hike!!
Garden of the Gods was right at the top of our list since this was our first trip to Colorado Springs, and the views of the rock formations and wildlife did not disappoint! It’s amazing to see the natural structures up close and be able to explore. The Garden of the Gods Park is also dog friendly so we were able to explore with Ruby!
The only drawback was to be expected, the crowds. With our visit being over the summer, it was definitely the height of the busy season. We went mid-morning the first day and enjoyed our hike, but it was crowded. Day 2, we got a much earlier start and were able to avoid some of the crowds. Things also thin out once you get beyond the main areas. If you can brave the crowds until you find a trailhead you like,
it will be well worth it! Check out this trail map to plot your course.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space provided some of the best hiking of our trip! With an extensive trail system and clear views of Pikes Peak, Red Rock Canyon Park offers the perfect outdoor space with more solitude!
I hiked the Sand Canyon Trail to Mesa Trail loop and the Greenlee Trail to Red Rock Canyon Path. Both were relatively easy and offered a variety of views, inclines and terrain.
Drop a comment to let me know which is your favorite path!
Eat!!
After a morning of hiking, Old Colorado City, has numerous amazing options for a post-hike snack!
Front Range Barbeque is located on W Colorado Ave in Old Colorado City and had a perfect patio to enjoy their delicious barbeque and mountain views. It’s also a pretty good people watching spot on the main OCC strip. This spot was walkable from our Airbnb and is excellent all around!
Pizzeria Rustica is also located right on Colorado Ave in Old Colorado City and is the perfect spot for a meal after shopping around OCC! There are several pizza and Italian options in the area and I am so glad we made our way into Pizzeria Rustica! We split Anitpasto and Cremini Al Forno, along with their brick oven pizza (hey – we’d hiked all morning!). It was all amazing and I’d definitely recommend checking out this spot!
On our last night in Colorado Springs, we ventured out of the Old Colorado City area to The Rabbit Hole, near downtown. This literal underground restaurant was not only the best meal of the trip, but was one of the best meals I’ve ever had! The service was amazing, the atmosphere is unique, elegant and somewhat quirky and above all…the food is excellent!
Colorado Springs was by far one of my favorite trips we’ve ever taken! It was so high on my list for a long time to take a summer hiking trip in Colorado, and between the crisp cool weather, the city and all it offers and the breathtaking views and trails, Colorado Springs is amazing! It was the best possible way to start my 40s, on a trail with my husband and Ruby!
This trip also really highlighted how I like to travel. There were a couple of things I’d put on our trip list that I’m sure are very very cool, but were a bit more touristy and involved waiting in lines, tickets or crowds. The best plans are flexible! When things are too crowded or lines are too long, find a hole in the wall lunch spot or an open trail and regroup!
Let me know what your favorite Colorado Springs spots are! I will definitely be back!
